SoCal Nature Kids’ Guide to Ventura County, California

Looking for a nature area to explore with your family in Ventura County? Check out these family-friendly places, recommended by me or other Southern California parents. It’s always a good idea to check each location’s web site for updated information before you go, and use your judgment regarding safety for your family at these locations.

Ventura County Parks and Playgrounds

  • Marina Park (Ventura)

  • Oxnard Beach Playground (Oxnard) - pirate theme

  • Soule Park (Ojai) - rocket ship theme

Ventura County GARDENS AND FARMS

  • Conejo Valley Botanic Garden (Thousand Oaks)

  • Taft Gardens and Nature Preserve (Oak View)

  • ventura Botanic Gardens (Ventura)

  • Frog Creek Farm (Ojai)

  • Gardens of the World (Thousand Oaks)

  • Community Roots Garden (Oxnard) - volunteer

  • Discovery Garden at Simi Valley Public Library

  • Matilija Nursery (Moorpark)

  • Underwood Family Farms (Moorpark or Somis)

  • Apricot Lane Farms

  • Ojai Olive Oil (tastings only - no tours)

Ventura County Water play

  • Ventura Aquatic Center (Ventura)

  • Casitas Water Adventure (Ventura)

Ventura County CAMPING SPOTS

  • Lake Casitas Recreation Area (Ventura)

  • Wheeler Gorge Campground (Ojai)

  • McGrath State Beach (Oxnard)

  • KOA at Ventura Ranch (Santa Paula)

Ventura County Beaches and Tide Pools

  • Kiddie Beach Park (Oxnard) - calm with no waves

Ventura County Libraries

  • Thousand Oaks Grant R. Brimhall Library - little ones will enjoy seeing the fish in the salt-water aquarium near the kids’ area

Ventura County Museums

  • Oakbrook Chumash Indian Museum (Thousand Oaks)

  • Museum of Ventura County (Ventura)

  • Channel Islands Visitor Center (Ventura)

  • Channel Islands Maritime Museum (Oxnard)

  • Ojai Raptor Center (Ojai) - monthly tours

  • Turtle Conservancy - tours for members (Ojai)

  • Agricultural Museum (Santa Paula)

  • Camarillo Grover Park and Nature Center (Camarillo)

  • Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology (Camarillo)

  • Moorpark College Observatory - stargazing

  • Oxnard - National Weather Service - offers tours

  • AJ Comstock Fire Museum

  • Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

  • Stagecoach Inn Museum (Newbury Park)

Ventura County hiking trails and nature Areas

  • Channel Islands National Park

  • Harmon Canyon Preserve

  • Ventura River Preserve (Ojai - riverview trailhead on rice road just south of El Robler Drive)

  • Ventura River Estuary - Corner of Main + Olive (Ventura)

  • Conejo Creek North Park (Thousand Oaks)

  • Ojai Meadows Preserve (Ojai)

  • Wildwood Park - Paradise Falls Trail (Thousand Oaks)

  • Ventura River Trail

  • Lake Casitas Recreation Area (Ventura)

  • Ormond Beach Wetlands (Oxnard)

  • Santa Clara River Estuary and McGrath State Park (Ventura)

  • Camino Real Park (Ventura)

  • Triunfo Creek, Triunfo Canyon (Thousand Oaks)

Ventura County Regional Parks

  • Rincon Beach County Park (Carpinteria)

  • Hobson Beach Park (Ventura)

  • Faria Beach Park (Ventura)

  • Camp Comfort Park (Ojai)

  • Dennison Park (Ojai)

  • Foster Park (Ventura)

  • Happy Camp Canyon Regional Park (Moorpark)

  • Kenney Grove Park (Fillmore)

  • Oak Park (Simi Valley)

  • Santa Rosa Valley Park (Camarillo)

  • Saticoy Park (Ventura)

  • Soule Park (Ojai)

  • Steckel Park (Santa Paila)

  • Tapo Canyon Regional Park (Santa Paula)

  • Warring Park (Piru)

  • Wildwood (Thousand Oaks)